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K. Sean Buvala, storytelling marketing guru and director of Storyteller.net, inspired this blog post by coaching me to pretend it was December 31st of the new year and what I wanted to accomplish. With his permission, I expanded upon this exercise on ways to share goals like stories. If you would also like to be coached by Sean, then email him at sean@storyteller.net.Lists, lists, and more lists. Such a thought could cause one to moan and groan when every year the goals must be figured out. Fortunately, there is a more empowering and effective way to enjoy this recurring process: tell goals as stories.
Consider the outlines that a teller may use to learn and develop a tale. When it comes time to perform, the outline is set aside so that the moment can be shared by the teller and the audience.
As for goals, the audience most important to please would be you.
Three Key Ways to Transform Goals into Stories:
- Characters
- Settings
- Moving the Plot Forward
Goal Characters
You
Yes, you are the hero in your story. When December 31st comes of the current year, be prepared to share an epic journey. You will have the expected trials. Folktales tend to have at least three, though do not dismay if you face more than that number. For remember, the hero conquers them in the end.
Family and Friends
Any hero in a story needs the mentors and the helpers. Family and friends are the perfect ones to fulfill these roles. Sometimes family and friends are similar to the cheering villagers found in fairy tales. Others get more involved and might be in contact on a daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis. It could compare to the walk along the path to visit the wise old woman or man for advice.
Business Associates
Yes, you are the hero in your story. When December 31st comes of the current year, be prepared to share an epic journey. You will have the expected trials. Folktales tend to have at least three, though do not dismay if you face more than that number. For remember, the hero conquers them in the end.
Family and Friends
Any hero in a story needs the mentors and the helpers. Family and friends are the perfect ones to fulfill these roles. Sometimes family and friends are similar to the cheering villagers found in fairy tales. Others get more involved and might be in contact on a daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis. It could compare to the walk along the path to visit the wise old woman or man for advice.
Business Associates
At times, the hero needs to have accommodations or supplies to make it past the dragon, monster, or other obstacle. Consider the business people who have the skills needed to help you accomplish your goals. You could go a step further and include key individuals into your business plan complete with contact information.
Goal Settings
Goal Settings
Home
The hero tends to leave home in search of another home. Yet, we live in an age when home offices are common. Furniture or routines may need to be adjusted to create “another home” that is more conducive to a productive environment . . .and especially as it relates to your goals.
Potential Performance Areas
You are a storyteller. Obviously there will be places in which you will be before an audience. Part of your goals might entail have so many new venues. Perhaps you want at least a certain percentage of places you have told at in the past. Whatever your endeavors, you could close your eyes and imagine perfect performances at these places. Although the likelihood of everything—or anything—being perfect, envisioning such a dream could boost your energy and motivation so you may have many “practically perfect” moments.
Businesses
The hero tends to leave home in search of another home. Yet, we live in an age when home offices are common. Furniture or routines may need to be adjusted to create “another home” that is more conducive to a productive environment . . .and especially as it relates to your goals.
Potential Performance Areas
You are a storyteller. Obviously there will be places in which you will be before an audience. Part of your goals might entail have so many new venues. Perhaps you want at least a certain percentage of places you have told at in the past. Whatever your endeavors, you could close your eyes and imagine perfect performances at these places. Although the likelihood of everything—or anything—being perfect, envisioning such a dream could boost your energy and motivation so you may have many “practically perfect” moments.
Businesses
Storytellers need to collaborate and work alongside businesses from print shops to recording studios to advertising offices. If you have ongoing relationships with people, then it will be easier to picture the places where they do that fantastic work for you. These people and businesses are every part of the setting of your goals. You may want to imagine atmospheres of creativity, understanding, and of clear communication.
Moving the Plot Forward for Your Goals
Breaking Big Goals into Smaller Goals
Stories have scenes. Each moment builds upon each other to the grand goal. Though, if you only saw the “grand goal”, then that would only be a one-sentence story. These short stories may be nice to share at a party, but then they are forgotten the next morning.
Placing Smaller Goals on Calendar
Storytellers are faced with choices in every part of the process. There are endless possibilities. This could become overwhelming unless put on a visual map—also known as the calendar. Color-coding works for quick recognition on the calendar, especially as you most likely want to accomplish more than goal over the course of the year.
Add Details for Flavor
If your goals still feel like an outline of ideas rather than a story, then add details that would excite you beyond the basics. Do you have an outfit planned for that premiere of yours? Who will be at some of your performances? What does your face look like when the package of new CDs is delivered to the door? This is your success story so you have the right to make-up details—realistic or not. You may be surprised what comes to pass.
Keep in mind to share your story in the past tense—as if it already occurred. This act solidifies the glorious image in your head.
Are you ready to tell your future success story now?
Go ahead.
Have your happily ever after.
Moving the Plot Forward for Your Goals
Breaking Big Goals into Smaller Goals
Stories have scenes. Each moment builds upon each other to the grand goal. Though, if you only saw the “grand goal”, then that would only be a one-sentence story. These short stories may be nice to share at a party, but then they are forgotten the next morning.
Placing Smaller Goals on Calendar
Storytellers are faced with choices in every part of the process. There are endless possibilities. This could become overwhelming unless put on a visual map—also known as the calendar. Color-coding works for quick recognition on the calendar, especially as you most likely want to accomplish more than goal over the course of the year.
Add Details for Flavor
If your goals still feel like an outline of ideas rather than a story, then add details that would excite you beyond the basics. Do you have an outfit planned for that premiere of yours? Who will be at some of your performances? What does your face look like when the package of new CDs is delivered to the door? This is your success story so you have the right to make-up details—realistic or not. You may be surprised what comes to pass.
Keep in mind to share your story in the past tense—as if it already occurred. This act solidifies the glorious image in your head.
Are you ready to tell your future success story now?
Go ahead.
Have your happily ever after.
Until we tell again,
Rachel Hedman
Professional Storyteller
How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com/
Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com/Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/rachelfans
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller
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